DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45605#0022
The Djebel Simcan — Der Simcan
273
three windows, the south chamber, i. e. the prothesis, opens upon the aisle by an arch, the
other chamber has a doorway upon the north aisle and is directly connected with the
apse. The nave has a great western portal and two doorways in either of the side
aisles. The lower storey and part of the upper storey of the west facade (Ill. 287),
the south wall entire (Ill. 288), part of the north wall, and the whole east end, with
the exception of the half dome of the apse, are still standing. The interior columns
and arches have fallen; but all their details and those of the clearstorey are lying un-
touched in the nave. This fact greatly facilitated the restoration of the interior (Ill. 289).
The restoration of the west fagade (Ill. 290) is a simple matter from the material in
place (Ill. 287) and that lying inside the church. The bases of the two colonettes
which divided the triple-arched opening of the upper storey are in place, their height
is determined by that of the moulded pilaster or respond at the right; only the arrange-
ment of the gable end is conjectured. The thin screen walls that are carried up above
the end walls of the side aisles, concealing the half pediments at the ends of the aisle
roofs, are peculiar features which are repeated in the north arm of the Church of
St. Simeon, but nowhere else in Syria so far as I remember. The screen wall on the
north has a large opening like a doorway in it. These walls were certainly not returned
alono- the aisle walls. The restoration of the interior of the east end of the church
o
(Ill. 291) is also an easy task owing to the state of preservation of this part (Ill. 292).
It is interesting to find that the arch of the apse had the horse-shoe form.
The ornament of the church, within and without, is rich and profuse; but is some-
what less pleasing than that of some of the smaller churches. Mouldings are profusely
used in the interior; deep, heavy, mouldings for the caps of the apse piers and those
of the responds of the nave arcade, and for the arch piers of the prothesis. Somewhat
lighter mouldings were employed for the spring course of the half dome, for the
archivolt of the apse which is returned at its springing, and the clearstorey string course.
273
three windows, the south chamber, i. e. the prothesis, opens upon the aisle by an arch, the
other chamber has a doorway upon the north aisle and is directly connected with the
apse. The nave has a great western portal and two doorways in either of the side
aisles. The lower storey and part of the upper storey of the west facade (Ill. 287),
the south wall entire (Ill. 288), part of the north wall, and the whole east end, with
the exception of the half dome of the apse, are still standing. The interior columns
and arches have fallen; but all their details and those of the clearstorey are lying un-
touched in the nave. This fact greatly facilitated the restoration of the interior (Ill. 289).
The restoration of the west fagade (Ill. 290) is a simple matter from the material in
place (Ill. 287) and that lying inside the church. The bases of the two colonettes
which divided the triple-arched opening of the upper storey are in place, their height
is determined by that of the moulded pilaster or respond at the right; only the arrange-
ment of the gable end is conjectured. The thin screen walls that are carried up above
the end walls of the side aisles, concealing the half pediments at the ends of the aisle
roofs, are peculiar features which are repeated in the north arm of the Church of
St. Simeon, but nowhere else in Syria so far as I remember. The screen wall on the
north has a large opening like a doorway in it. These walls were certainly not returned
alono- the aisle walls. The restoration of the interior of the east end of the church
o
(Ill. 291) is also an easy task owing to the state of preservation of this part (Ill. 292).
It is interesting to find that the arch of the apse had the horse-shoe form.
The ornament of the church, within and without, is rich and profuse; but is some-
what less pleasing than that of some of the smaller churches. Mouldings are profusely
used in the interior; deep, heavy, mouldings for the caps of the apse piers and those
of the responds of the nave arcade, and for the arch piers of the prothesis. Somewhat
lighter mouldings were employed for the spring course of the half dome, for the
archivolt of the apse which is returned at its springing, and the clearstorey string course.